It has been four years since the Oilers were in the playoff hunt in the middle of March. On March 15th, 2009 the Oilers had 73 points and were tied for 8th place with Nashville, but they went 6-8 in their final 14 games and missed the playoffs by six points.

6th place... St. Louis with 92 points. Went 10-2-2 from March 15th.
7th place... Columbus with 92 points. Went 5-4-4.
8th place... Anaheim with 91points. Went 10-3-1.
9th place... Minnesota with 89 points. Went 7-5-1.
10th place...Nashville with 88 points. Went 6-4-3
11th place...Edmonton with 85 points. Went 6-8.

The Ducks and Blues went on a tear in the final 28 days, while the Predators, Wild and Oilers stumbled down the stretch and fell out of the playoffs. The Oilers need to mirror the Blues and Ducks and make a strong push down the stretch. They have to take advantage of this four-game homestand.

In five of their six wins the Oilers scored 5+ goals, but they only mustered 12 goals in their eight loses and lost six of the eight games by one goal. Their goaltending and defence wasn't bad, but they couldn't produce when it counted. This year, they have much more offensive skill throughout their lineup and starting tonight those players need to lead this team.

TODAY

The Oilers have the potential to have three scoring lines, and during this four-game homestand Ralph Krueger should take advantage of that.

The Triple H line can attack on the rush with Hall and Hemsky while Horcoff won't get crushed defensively against lines like Datsyuk, Wilson, Thornton and Backes. These are the top centres coming in over the next 9 days, and look for Krueger to use the 4/10/83 line against them, especially out of TV timeouts.

Krueger did say he is more concerned about D pairing matchups than forwards, and he wants to focus on getting everyone involved early. He won't go crazy trying to match lines, but also said his strategy will vary from game to game.

That should allow better matchups for the 2nd and 3rd lines.

I'd match Gagner's line against the other teams weakest defensive line and let him continue his offensive tear. Nugent-Hopkin's goal in Colorado looked eerily similar to many that he scored last year; a quick release that beat the goalie just inside the post. If he gets some offensive confidence in these final 22 games, the Oilers could have three scoring lines.

QUICK HITS

Many were getting on Nugent-Hopkins for not scoring, but the sophomore's goal scoring woes aren't as bad as Detroit's top-two gunners. Pavel Datsyuk hasn't scored a goal in 11 games, while Henrik Zetterberg only has 1 goal in his last 20 games.

The Red Wings have really struggled on the road at 3-6-2. They are 30th on the road in PP efficiency with a dreadful 2.6% and only one goal, which came in Calgary on Wednesday, in 36 attempts. Their road PK is also horrendous sitting 29th at 69.8%.

The Oilers haven't been great at home though going 4-4-2. They've given up 30 goals in 10 games. Their PP has been great, however, with 13 goals on 46 chances, while their PK is a solid 10th at home at 85.7%. The Oilers need to capitalize on special teams.

On March 7th in Detroit the Oilers didn't have one PP. They need to use their speed and put the Wings in bad positions and force them to take some penalties. The Oilers can't get sucked into playing a passive, defensive game against the Wings. If it becomes a game of patience, the Oilers will likely lose.

Ryan Jones was fighting the flu bug vs. Colorado and he "crashed" the last two days in Edmonton. Teemu Hartikainen will draw back in alongside 93 and 14.

Nikolai Khabibulin will backup Devan Dubnyk. Yann Danis went back to OKC after the Colorado game.

LOOK AHEAD

GAME DAY PREDICTION: The Oilers have only won back-to-back games twice this year, but tonight they pick up their first three-game winning streak of the season with a 4-1victory. No team in the history of the NHL has made the playoffs without at least one three-game winning streak in a season, and they Oilers keep their playoff aspirations alive with a win tonight.

OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: The crowd wil be tipsy, loaded, jazzed up for their first home game since February 23rd, and when the Oilers honour Stompin' Tom Connors and play The Hockey Song everyone in the crowd joins in and sings. The building will be rocking as fans take in a playoff race for the first time in four years. And Jordin Tootoo will want a rematch v. Mike Brown after Brown pumped him in Detroit last week.

NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: All day and even during the broadcast you might hear people reference that historically the Oilers have struggled in their first game back after a long road trip. Turns out that isn't the accurate.

In the first game back after a road trip of 4 games or more, the Oilers have been pretty good in fact. They are 59-37-14.

1980-1989: 28-8-8
1990-1999: 11-12-2 (they were 1-4 in 1999 which made them below .500)
2000-2010 (No 2005 season so added 2010 to make it ten years): 20-11-3
2011-2012: 0-6-1

The Oilers were brutal the past two years, but they struggled in every facet of their game during those two years so that isn't a surprise, but historically the statement, "The Oilers always struggle in first game off a long road trip," is misleading.

DAY TWO

The 2nd annual Gregor Charity Classic sold out in less than 20 hours, so we have added a second day. (If you signed up for day one, you won't be able to sign up for day two for a week. This allows more people to enter.)

WHEN: Sunday April 14th. Registration at 11:30, tourney at 1 p.m.WHERE:Century Casino,13103 Fort RoadWHO: 100 Texas Hold Em PlayersWHY: To help End MS and win a seat at the WSOP main event this July in Vegas.

COST: $185 per person (15% goes to MS Society)

Please be advised of the following stipulations for the tournament:

·All participants must be 21 years of age.

·The grand prize is based on a minimum occupancy of 80 participants, with only 100 spots available. If all spots are not filled, the grand prize will be adjusted to the pre-determined cash prizing.

·The grand prize awarded is a seat in the World Series of Poker Tournament Main Event, valued at $10,000 USD, in Las Vegas July 7th – 16th, 2013. The last 9 players of the tournament will return to Las Vegas in November 2013 for the final table. All events will be held at the Rio Hotel.
The grand prize includes airfare, courtesy of Darci Huhn with Travel Only and accommodation for one.

·The grand prize is non-transferable. The 1st place grand prize winner of the tournament will accept the prize as awarded and be expected to participate and represent Century Casino and The Jason Gregor Show in the World Series of Poker Tournament.

·The remainder of the cash prizing for the tournament will be broken down as follows, based on full occupancy:

1st place- $10,000 entry fee into WSOP main event.
2nd place - $2,000.00 cash and $500 donation in name to MS Society.

3rd place - $800.00 cash and $200 donation in name to MS Society

4th place - $640.00 cash and $160 donation in name to MS Society.

5th place - $560.00 cash and $140 donation in name to MS Society.

6th place - $480.00 cash and $120 donation in name to MS Society.

7th place - $400.00 cash and $100 donation in name to MS Society

8th place - $320.00 cash and $80 donation in name to MS Society

9th place - $240.00 cash and $60 donation in name to MS Society.

10th place - $210.00 cash and $62.50 donation in name to MS Society.

** 1st place prize is not redeemable for cash. If you can't go then the 2nd place winner can go in your place and you receive their prize.**

Thanks again for your interest and for supporting MS. You can enter by calling 780.643.4060! Good luck.

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on TSN 1260, and he writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

I'd love to hear the logic of not playing Yak with 8 mins to go and a 2-1 lead but then playing him in the last two mins while tied. Also, why is Smyth playing in OT and Yak isnt? Some head scratching decisions tonight by Krueger. Very tough loss tonight.

Congrats on your first fist! I still remember mine many weeks ago. Wings will be over prepared (scared to make a mistake) for tonight and will either be too hesitant or over aggressive leading to scoring chances or penalties. Oilers 6 wings 1. Oops, I just realized no Belanger tonight, Oilers win 9-3. No, make that 10-3. Just like fisting, if your going to be overly optimistic you might as well go all the way :)

The wings have never been riper for as ass kicking. They have lost
confidence , especially on the road, if the Oilers Can smell blood
early, i am picking the OIl 6-2. I get the feeling they know a spot
in the playoffs is close and have matured just enough to know
this game is big and do not come out flat, A win today
does wonders, they start to believe.

I have this feeling in my gut that says the next 2 games, tonight against Detroit and the next against Nashville, will determine the Oilers fate. They have to win both in regulation if they want a real shot at the Playoffs. There are so many teams bunched together that only 4 points separate them from the playoffs but they are only 1 point above last in the West too.

This no man's land in beween really bad and good is gut-wrenching. My head says they dont have a chance, my heart is cheering like hell. *barf*

Another overtime goal scored with Gagner dragging his ass back mouthguard hanging out. Someone look up how many overtime goals against he has been on the ice for this year alone. I am pretty sure it is all of them. Say what you want about his offense, but he is AWFUL defensively!!!!

Here's hoping with Horcoff back in the line-up we can win a face-off. I fear that after the Calgary loss, however, Babcock will have his squad in line. He will also likely have taken Gustuvson out of the line up and put Howard back in.

I seem to remember not getting beat last time by Zetterburgh or Datsuyk but by their second and third line, so it will be interesting to see if the new "balanced" lines do better.

I predict we still struggle in the dot, but maybe Dubnyk will stand on his head and give the guys a chance to win.

If the Oilers can win this game I can easily see them rattling off 4 or 5 in a row and that my friends is exactly what this team needs to start doing to finish this season on a high. I have not been optimistic about the outcome of games for this team in over a month but I have a better feeling today 3-0 Oilers. Dubnyk stands on his head and steals this game as the boys are out shot 36-21.*

Been calling for this lineup from back before the season started and we were all trying to call out potential line combos. (of course Brown and Fistric wernt here at the time so Jones was in the place of Brown)

Back then, Krueger was saying he would go with duos, Hall/ Hemsky, Gagner / Yakupov, RNH / Eberle, from there you just add one player with size/grit ot each line. Has the added bonus that everyone is playing their NATURAL position! (except Smitty)

Of course, I'd still like to see an add/pick up that brings more skill than Harti on the RNH line......but for now this is EXACTLY right!

Also agree that Whitney NEEDS to play with either Petry or J. Schultz....It boosts his overall confindence and gets him thinking more offensively......Lets face it, defence has never been his key strength.....this plays to his strength...

This would be a good time to get rid of some deadwood. Put Belanger on waivers and see if Montrel likes him as much as he likes Montreal. Some wiggle room (shedding a contract) at the trade deadline might not be a bad thing.

Grabbing Hall and cutting Belanger loose would still conform to managements tanking agenda.

Gentlemen, please play this game like a road game. The Wings just played last night but you'll only expose that fatigue if you get pucks deep, grind them and make them skate a full 200 every shift to your net. Of course, history would suggest that the Oil don't do this, turn the puck over at in the neutral zone and get burned.

Gentlemen, please play this game like a road game. The Wings just played last night but you'll only expose that fatigue if you get pucks deep, grind them and make them skate a full 200 every shift to your net. Of course, history would suggest that the Oil don't do this, turn the puck over at in the neutral zone and get burned.

Wings played in Cgy on Wed night, nothing last night. Yes, fewer turnovers entering offensive zone will serve them well.

We need a big homestand and the tone needs to be set tonight. If we can win this one and keep up the momentum, then we can make up some ground. I want to believe but all these years of losing have me feeling negative about our prospects. I will say 3-1 Red Wings but I hope I am completely wrong on that one. GO OILERS GO!!

Last time we'll see Detroit 3/4 games a year.Thank you realignment. They'll be chewing up the Leafs again on a regular basis beginning next season. @ games a year maybe we'll see them. Love it. Time we got a break.If only Dallas was in the East too.

GDP. Eberle with 2 goals. Brown with 2 fights and Dubnyk with a 35 save performance in a 4-3 win for the Oilers.

4 on 4 PRV came off the boards and had 2 red wings cut off his path to the net and the other to were in the the crease area incase PRV made it there...only took couple attempts to get Detroits attention